Robbed and Killed Victim Who Just Received a Settlement Check
Two Freeport men have been sentenced for their roles in the shooting death and robbery of a Long Beach man who had just received a settlement check.
Eric Baldwin, 27, pleaded guilty in September before Judge Terence Murphy to charges of second-degree murder (an A-I felony), two counts of first-degree robbery (a B violent felony), second-degree robbery and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (all C violent felonies). On November 13, Baldwin was sentenced to 23 years to life in prison.
Corey Grier, 29, pleaded guilty in August to first-degree robbery and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Grier was sentenced to 20 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision on October 5.
On September 10, 2021, the deceased, James Diamond, 28, and a friend, drove to a law firm in Long Beach to pick up a check for $55,000, that Diamond was awarded as part of a lawsuit. After receiving the check, the pair picked up Grier and drove to a check cashing business. Grier then directed them in their vehicle to South Bay Avenue in Freeport and Diamond and his friend left to attempt to deposit the cash at a nearby bank.
Grier allegedly called Baldwin and Todd Brant to meet him at South Bay Avenue. Baldwin, Brant, and Akeem Chambers drove to South Bay Avenue to meet up with Grier.
When Diamond and his friend returned to the location, Baldwin and Chambers allegedly took Diamond and his friend out of their vehicle at gunpoint. A struggle ensued, and Diamond was shot once in the abdomen by Baldwin, who took Diamond’s bag filled with cash and fled. Diamond was later pronounced dead at South Nassau Communities Hospital. Diamond worked as a tradesman and was an aspiring musician.
Baldwin was arrested by Nassau County homicide detectives in East Meadow on November 3, 2021. That same day, Grier was arrested by NCPD Homicide detectives in Bay Shore.
“Eric Baldwin and Corey Grier helped lure 28-year-old James Diamond to his death, when they convinced the young man to meet them in Freeport,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said. “Mr. Diamond had just been awarded a settlement check and had more than $50,000 in cash on him when Eric Baldwin shot [him] in a struggle for the money. Jimmy Diamond was a popular and talented young man who was taken too early. We extend our condolences to his countless family members and friends.”